Manning jersey raffled for Mesa Co. Jr. football

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KKCO)-- The rankings are out, and Peyton Manning's number 18 is atop the list for NFL jersey sales. But it's one of his jerseys sold right here in Grand Junction that is having a big impact on some young ball players.

This season, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation raffled off an orange Manning jersey and promised to donate all the proceeds to the Mesa County Junior Football Association.

The jersey was carried around all season and made appearances at a number of games while raffle tickets were being sold.

The final tally brought the junior football league $1,479, money that will be used to help keep the kids safe out on the field.

"That money will go to more new helmets. I've already ordered 140 new helmets for next year. We've been buying helmets just as fast as we can afford them the last two years, and just more safety equipment," Jim Bratcher, the president of the Mesa County Junior Football Association, said.

The league said it hopes to have a similar raffle next year after the success the Manning jersey had.

The junior football playoffs kicked off Wednesday, with the Super Bowls set to play on Oct. 15 and 16 at Stocker Stadium.

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